HAITI POSTPONES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

Santo Domingo, 26 Rabiul Awwal 1437/6 January 2016 (MINA) – Haiti postponed to Jan. 24 a second round of presidential and legislative elections, the head of the country’s Provisional Electoral Council said Tuesday.

Pierre-Louis Opont disclosed the date in a letter to President Michel Martelly after a meeting of the nine-member council, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Anadolu Agency.

Opont informed Martelly that it was impossible to organize elections in time for the previously scheduled Jan. 17 date, citing time constraints.

The postponement is the second time Port-au-Prince has delayed the presidential runoffs, originally scheduled for Dec 27, 2015.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over political developments related to the ongoing elections.

He urged authorities and all political actors to resolve outstanding issues and ensure that the electoral process is concluded as soon as possible in a transparent, inclusive and credible manner.

Ban said the country’s parliament has not functioned since last January and emphasized the importance of inaugurating a new legislature within the constitutional time frame to ensure the renewal of democratic institutions.  (T/P010/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)